Location: Barrow, Kendal or PenrithContract Type: Permanent
About this opportunity
Westmorland and Furness have identified Climate Change and Biodiversity as key priorities for the council and are seeking a highly organised, motivated and dedicated Programme Officer with excellent knowledge of council processes to provide a reporting and administration function to the Climate and Nature team.
This role is to lead the setting up and provision of a professional programme reporting and administration support function to the Service Leads/Managers and Senior Managers who lead on climate change, climate adaptation and nature recovery projects.
This will include:
The role will sit within the Climate and Nature Team, which currently has fourteen members of staff, all committed to reducing carbon emissions, adapting to climate change and enhancing and protecting nature. This role will help with the delivery of the Climate Change Action Plan, Nature and Biodiversity Strategy, and Climate Adaptation Strategy, identifying cross overs, co-benefits and key synergies between these and wider council strategies. This is within the Thriving Places directorate of Westmorland and Furness Council.
Who we are looking for…
Are you passionate about the climate and our natural environment? Are you keen to support the council to do what it can to deliver nature recovery, net zero, and to help our residents and businesses adapt to climate change? Do you have a keen eye for detail, excellent organisational skills, and a proven track record of delivering complex programmes of work? If so, we want to hear from you!
What can we offer you!
Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)
Would you like to find out more?
For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:
If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Megan Lindeman, Climate Adaptation Lead on 075576 63932 or Megan.Lindeman@WestmorlandandFurness.gov.uk (Please note that Megan is on holiday between the 9th August and the 31st August) or Hannah Girvan on Hannah.Girvan@WestmorlandandFurness.gov.uk.
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 31st August 2025
We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.
Westmorland and Furness Council are now able to offer sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visa applications for eligible roles. Please note, we cannot guarantee the eligibility of all of our roles, therefore, if you would like more information on roles that may be eligible please visit the government website - Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.
